The live Premier League Friday night match experiment continues this week with top-of-the-table Liverpool visitng Wolves. Tom Love (@TomLove_18) picks out his favourite betting angles.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool | Friday 21st December 2018, 20:00 | Sky Sports
Wolves have been a strange side this season. They perform superbly against the better sides but fail to fully convince against the lesser lights.
That should mean they have a good shot as table toppers Liverpool come to town on Friday night. They have been performing well on the main data metrics this term, the Old Gold rank as top 5 material in the xG ratio as well as xG from open play and shots in the box ratio. They have the capability to threaten the Reds here should their attacking players have their shooting boots on.
Having said that, it’s mighty tough to back against this Liverpool outfit. They recorded 36 attempts against Manchester United last week, a barrage of efforts that eventually saw them run out 3-1 winners.
Xherdan Shaqiri was the difference-maker off the bench and it will be interesting to see if he is in from the start here. He’s up there with one of the canniest signings of the season, coming in as a squad player but he’s been much, much more and looks a snip at around £11m.
The Merseyside outfit rank only behind Manchester City over the aforementioned key data metrics. They’ve been much improved at the back this season but they’re missing Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold for this trip.
It’s a tough game to find an angle on because there’s arguments for and against in pretty much every market. But given Wolves’ strong efforts against the top 6 this season I’m going to back them to get on the scoresheet.
BTTS has been chalked up at a handsome 19/20 with BetVictor and I’m happy to take that quote. Wolves have scored against Arsenal, Man City, Man United, Chelsea and Spurs this season so it shows they’re up for it against the good sides.
If Liverpool do carry on their winning run I don’t expect them to blow Wolves away. Winning by the odd goal has been key to their success this season and we can get the visitors to take all 3 points by a single goal margin at an eye opening 13/4 with SportNation. 7 of Liverpool’s wins have come by this margin and any win will do for Jurgen Klopp’s men to stay a top the table.
Best bets
Both Teams To Score 19/20 (BetVictor)
Liverpool to win by 1 goal 13/4 (SportNation)
